A report by students at Bournemouth University’s Centre for Event and Sport Research has shown the economic benefit of hosting the final stages of the MSA British and Historic Rally Championships in Dorset.

Based on research conducted during face to face interviews at the 2013 Rallye Sunseeker, the report outlines an overall benefit to Dorset from spectators, competitors and activities of £1.2million.

With 20,000 spectators over the two days spending in the region of £614,000 and the 1784 attendees officials/competitors spending of £516,000, on accommodation, food and transport. Since 2012 Poole has hosted the starting ceremony and prize giving presentations, with stages of the race taking place at locations around Dorset.

The successful rally, sponsored for the last 15 years by Sunseeker, is scheduled to take place 17-18 October. Renamed Rallye Dorset, it will see the final round of the the MSA British Historic Rally Championship and MSA British Rally Championship take place. 2013 saw many visitors from Scandinavia who cheered on Finland’s Jukka Korhonen and Marko Salminen, winners of the MSA 2013 British Rally Championship title.

Rick Smith, Event Director, on behalf of organisers Southern Car Club, said: “We are often applauded for bringing real financial benefits to the region, the Bournemouth University independent research and report has now confirmed this. £1.2 million of inward income is very much in line with patterns seen on other British Rally Championship rounds, so we are certain that they are a true trend, and we trust that the region gets behind us to ensure the future of the rally”

Bruce Grant-Braham, Chairman of the Poole Tourism Partnership, said: "The British Rally Championship's annual visit to Poole has boosted tourism out-of-season and fills many tourist beds across the County. A sizeable number of spectators come from all across southern England for the day too - day visitors being a key tourist market for Poole. Not only that, there is huge local interest in this major event from local residents. We are pleased too that there is so much interest from our local population. The Southern Car Club's volunteer organisers are very business-like and are working with Poole Tourism in many ways to enhance the spectator and competitor experience in 2014 and beyond".